The Angle of View Calculator computes the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal angles of view for lenses based on their focal length and the camera sensor's dimensions. These calculations help users understand how much of a scene will be captured in the photo at different focal lengths, facilitating better lens selection and camera setup for various photographic needs.
Formula of Angle of View Calculator
To calculate the angle of view, the calculator uses these precise formulas:
- Horizontal Angle of View (AOV_horizontal):
- AOV_horizontal = 2 * arctan((sensor_width) / (2 * focal_length))
- Vertical Angle of View (AOV_vertical):
- AOV_vertical = 2 * arctan((sensor_height) / (2 * focal_length))
- Diagonal Angle of View (AOV_diagonal):
- AOV_diagonal = 2 * arctan((sqrt(sensor_width^2 + sensor_height^2)) / (2 * focal_length))
Where:
- sensor_width is the width of the camera sensor
- focal_length is the focal length of the lens
- sensor_height is the height of the camera sensor
- sensor_diagonal is the diagonal measurement of the camera sensor
Table of General Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | The distance between the lens and the image sensor when in focus. |
| Sensor Width | The horizontal dimension of the camera's sensor. |
| Sensor Height | The vertical dimension of the camera's sensor. |
| Angle of View | The angular extent of the scene captured by the camera. |
This table serves as a quick reference to understand commonly used terms in the context of camera lenses and photography.
Example of Angle of View Calculator
Consider a camera with a sensor width of 36mm and a sensor height of 24mm, using a lens with a 50mm focal length:
- Horizontal AOV = 2 * arctan(36 / (2 * 50)) ≈ 39.6 degrees
- Vertical AOV = 2 * arctan(24 / (2 * 50)) ≈ 27.0 degrees
- Diagonal AOV = 2 * arctan(sqrt(36^2 + 24^2) / (2 * 50)) ≈ 46.8 degrees
This calculation helps photographers determine how wide an area their lens will cover, which is crucial for planning shots in constrained environments or when precise composition is required.
Most Common FAQs
Decreasing the focal length increases the angle of view, making the lens wider. Increasing the focal length decreases the angle of view, making the lens more telephoto.
Yes, this calculator can be used for any camera as long as you know the sensor dimensions and the lens's focal length.
Angle of view is crucial for framing and composition in photography, impacting the spatial relationships and perspective in images.